Under the Surface
Page 28
Emily’s face lit up. “Ugh, I have to work both days and I’ve got homework, stupid finals coming up, papers due, but we can hang out when I’m off.”
“I remember what December’s like when you’re in high school,” Cady said with a laugh. “It’ll be fun. Like old times.”
The drive through the backstreets into one of Lancaster’s older neighborhoods took Cady back in time. Her mother still lived in the house she’d bought after their dad left. It was small, but refurbished inside and out. The house was from the fifties but recently renovated top to bottom, three bedrooms, a full bathroom she’d shared with Emily, a three-quarters bath off her mom’s bedroom, a kitchen with an eating area that overlooked the backyard and a den. Lights burned brightly over the front and side doors, but her mother’s bedroom window was dark. “The other cop wasn’t bad-looking. The really, really big one,” Emily clarified.
“Emily, he’s at least ten years older than you are,” Cady said as Emily parked the car in front of the house. Her mother had the garage and left for work by seven, which meant Emily parked on the street if she didn’t want to have to move her car at the crack of dawn.
“So? I’m legal,” Emily said
Cady had spent too much time on the road with male musicians to be shocked by teenage girls lusting after an older man exuding power and confidence. “There’s legal and then there’s smart. Sometimes you have to be smart, for your own sake.”
“And sometimes I hate being the youngest,” Emily said. “You’ve done everything first. I can’t even make my own mistakes.”
“Sure you can,” Cady said over the roof of the car. “You just can’t complain when I say I told you so.”
Her sister grabbed the bigger, heavier suitcase and started lugging it toward the door. “Boys my age are stupid.”
“Grown men aren’t always smart,” Cady said as they hauled the bags through the front door.
“I’ll make you some hot water,” Emily said and strode into the kitchen.
Cady got her bags into what had been her room until Emily converted it into a studio after she left. Cady’s single bed was pushed against the wall and covered with a big piece of plywood to turn it into a cutting board. Emily had moved the fabric scraps to the sewing station that took up most of the floor space. Cady stared at the tiny, crowded space and thought that there was no way she could fit herself and Shoulders, aka McCormick, into that bed.
That was depressing enough to make her leave the bags where they were and walk back down the hall to the kitchen, where Emily was drizzling honey into steaming water. A cup of cocoa steamed on the counter.
“Does that happen often?” Em asked.
“Does what?” she asked, still distracted by the memory of Shoulders’ muscles flexing.
“Crazy drunk guys coming out of the shadows.” Emily held out the mug.
“They’re always out there,” Cady said with a shrug. She clinked cups with Emily, then sipped the drink that was as much honey as water, and let out a sigh. She’d shed Chris, her stylist, her bodyguard, the band, and was finally alone and home. “It’s so good to be home.”
“Only if you leave,” Emily muttered.
Also by Anne Calhoun
The SEAL’s Secret Lover
The SEAL’s Rebel Librarian
The SEAL’s Second Chance
Praise for Anne Calhoun
“Uncommonly good storytelling.”
—Beth Kery, New York Times bestselling author
“Scintillating sexual chemistry.”
—Lauren Dane, New York Times bestselling author
“Anne Calhoun … tugs at your heart.”
—Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Calhoun is the author of a number of romance novels and novellas, including the acclaimed novel Liberating Lacey, which won the EPIC Award for Best Contemporary Erotic Romance and was chosen as one of NPR’s 100 Swoon-worthy Romances. Anne holds a BA in History and English, and an MA in American Studies from Columbia University. When she’s not writing, her hobbies include reading, yoga, and horseback riding. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, son, and rescue dog, and has recently overcome her Starbucks addiction.
Visit her website at: annecalhoun.com. Or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Excerpt from Going Deep
Also by Anne Calhoun
Praise for Anne Calhoun
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
UNDER THE SURFACE
Copyright © 2016 by Anne Calhoun.
Excerpt from Going Deep copyright © 2016 by Anne Calhoun.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
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eISBN: 9781250084613
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / June 2016
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